“Well,my dear,”said he,when she ceased speaking,“I have no more to say.If this be the case,he deserves you.I could not have parted with you,my Lizzy,to anyone less worthy.”

“Good gracious! Lord bless me!only think!dear me! Mr. Darcy! Who would have thought it! And is it really true?Oh! my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and how great you will be!What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have!Jane's is nothing to it―nothing at all.I am so pleased―so happy. Such a charming man!―so handsome! so tall!―Oh,my dear Lizzy! pray apologise for my having disliked him so much before. I hope he will overlook it. Dear, dear Lizzy.A house in town!Every thing that is charming!Three daughters married!Ten thousand a year!Oh,Lord!What will become of me.I shall go distracted.”

“I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,”said he.“Wickham, perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane's.”

“My dearest child,”she cried,“I can think of nothing else!Ten thousand a year, and very likely more! 'Tis as good as a Lord! And a special licence.You must and shall be married by a special licence. But my dearest love, tell me what dish Mr. Darcy is particularly fond of,that I may have it to-morrow.”